Nixon for Governor

Hat promoting Richard Nixon for governor of California, 1962. Styrofoam molded in the shape of a straw skimmer, with gold-printed satin hatband.

Having lost in his bid for president in 1960, Nixon's failure to win the executive office in his home state was a profound disappointment. Many saw this defeat, and Nixon's caustic reaction ("You won't have Dick Nixon to kick around anymore..."), as marking the end of his political career, an assessment that was, needless to say, premature. Items from Nixon's 1962 gubernatorial race are now very desirable collector's items, and with the exception of a few pinbacks and stickers, all are scarce. See also red hatband variant.